Q: Why are builders allowed to plaster directional signs to their new developments along the roadway and at the exit ramps on routes 22, 191, and other highways? One day in May, on 22 westbound from 191, I counted 13 exit ramps that had two signs each, one for Heritage and one for Harvest Fields in the Macungie area. These signs are posted right along the highway shoulder and at the end of the ramps, some of which resemble garbage dumps. I am a Realtor, and if we all put our signs where the builders have them, you'd have 100 signs at each ramp. Does anyone have to pay for or get permission from PennDOT to place these signs? It seems an unsafe thing to do for whoever is getting out of their vehicle to post them. Of course, there are other signs as well, for junk haulers, kick-boxing, whatever else. In the case of builders or Realtors including myself, there is no need for directional signs because of Internet maps and GPS units to locate the properties. Someone should remove these signs, and/or fine the perpetrators.
— Dennis Snell, Bethlehem
A: Other than official PennDOT traffic signs and other sanctioned state placards such as those used in the Tourist Oriented Directional Signing program, no signs can be posted within PennDOT's right-of-way, which basically means all the signs you describe are illegal, Dennis.
The rule applies to election-campaign signs and others as well, and as you note, many other businesses and commercial interests, not to mention well-meaning nonprofit organizations, promote sales, fundraising events and the like along our roads and highways. Judging by our experience with the political signs, which sprout like weeds in an untended garden twice each year, the enforcement engine is way low on horsepower. The signs — or litter, if you like — are pretty much ignored.
PennDOT workers sometimes remove some of this roadside debris, particularly if it blocks sight-lines, but officials contend they simply don't have enough people to turn the key on a comprehensive sign-removal campaign.
"It would be pretty much a full-time job," a regional PennDOT manager told me some years ago. That's still the case, according to PennDOT spokesman Ron Young, and I don't doubt it based on the number of signs I see along the road. If anything, the situation's gotten worse, as your observations attest, Dennis.
Regarding the "open house" and other home-sale ads in particular, some builders, Realtors, sales associates or their agents — whoever pulls the duty of physically posting the signs — seem to be distributing them in advance of the weekends, and removing them afterward. That's what I found after your question steered its way onto the top floor of my email parking deck, Dennis. I scouted for the signs on Route 22 a couple of times and found no trace of them — though some "Got Junk?" placards for a cleanup service, and signs from a few other commercial entities, were out there and still are.
I noticed the multitude of real-estate signs, by chance, on a recent Sunday drive to the Stroudsburg area on a different Warrior mission, only then realizing that my initial searches were made on weekdays. That Sunday, signs directing motorists to Kay Builders' Laurel Field development and to Heritage Builders' Highgate community, both in Upper Macungie Township, appeared at virtually every westbound interchange from routes 191 to 309, where they directed drivers south on 309 to west on Tilghman Street toward the developments. Zawarski & Sons had signs on northbound Route 33 from Route 22 to the 191 interchange, where they directed motorists to 191 toward the company's several developments in that area.
The real-estate signs proliferate on weekends and disappear during the week, and that's good in one sense, Dennis: At least they're not on duty 24/7, nor are they left as semi-permanent roadside litter like some of the campaign signs. But it must be challenging to post and remove them safely each week. I assume the agents are parking as far off the highway as possible on the shoulders, or on the off-road interchange areas, and that they're re-entering the travel lanes from a dead stop with care. If they work at night, I trust they keep their headlights on and use their four-way flashers, and wear the reflective green vests (the latter even in daylight). In addition, the signs could be distracting to motorists. I found it hard to read the details on some of them, which forced me to slow down and focus on them for the few seconds available as I passed.
Rick Koze of Kay Builders said the signs are extremely important to builders and home-sellers, providing not only directions that many people use, but consumer information, a vital factor particularly at a time when the real-estate business has been running on fumes. Not everyone has GPS, and even those who do can count on the signs to ensure they're on the right track, Koze said. And he added that GPS can be distracting in itself, possibly as much or more so than the signs.
"I understand the concern," he said, but added that complaints are few and the signs clearly help sell homes, sustaining his and other businesses and keeping people working. "It does help you sell homes, and if I don't [sell homes], I've got to lay hundreds of people off," he said. Kay's signs sometimes are posted by Kay employees, but sign-making businesses also provide the service, Koze said — a service that's not inexpensive. He estimated the sticker price for his company's sign placement and removal at an annual $50,000.
Again, it's not just home sellers foisting this kind of diversion upon us. Many other companies and organizations contribute. On June 25, while investigating an unrelated matter at Schoenersville and Macada roads in Bethlehem, I noticed a sign much like the "open house" placards displayed at the intersection's southwest corner. "Historic Bethlehem House Tour," it read. "Rooms to View," with a toll-free number for information. The date of the event? June 2.
Road Warrior appears Mondays and Fridays, and the Warrior blogs at mcall.com. Email questions about roadways, traffic and transportation, with your name and the municipality where you live, to hartzell@mcall.com, or write to Road Warrior, Box 1260, Allentown, PA 18105-1260.
